Back To The Polls in Michigan

19 Nov, 2012

Was this November’s sweeping victory for marijuana law reform in Michigan a fluke?

A review of polls conducted in Michigan shows a consistent support for the relaxation- or elimination- of laws regulating marijuana. These surveys were conducted online by the popular MLive web service, whose divisions cover the entire state.

Some areas saw multiples polls, especially those places where voters had the opportunity to enact ordinances regarding cannabis and their communities.

In Kalamazoo, several polls preceeding this November’s general election predicted the eventual outcome of the vote:

Should marijuana possession in Kalamazoo be enforced by a ticket instead of an arrest?

Grand Rapids decriminalized the possession of marijuana in November 2012 by a 60% Yes vote.

Other polls from around the state, and during the course of 2012, covered many different issues- but seemed to always come out favoring the rights of medicinal and recreational marijuana users. This poll from Flushing was weighted unfairly, with three responses reflecting negatively on the marijuana issue and only one choice supporting a patient’s right to choose (and even that question was phrased badly):

Should Flushing Township Board members ban medical marijuana dispensaries in the township?

No. Municipalities should leave their hands out of this mess. 50%

Yes. Michigan statute mentions nothing about dispensaries, so they have the right to do so and they should. 26.47%

Yes. If they don’t ban them, there’s nothing to stop them from popping up within the township. 15.69%

No. There is no point. Dispensaries are already in violation of state law. 7.84%

In Michigan there has been some debate among legislators about a re-vote on the Medical Marijuana Act. In January 2011 the very reputable polling form Marketing Resource Group and activist Gersh Avery showed that 59% of voters would re-approve the law and 35% would not.

Rick Thompson was the Editor in Chief for the entire 2-year run of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Magazine, was the spokesman for the Michigan Association of Compassion Centers and is the current Editor and Lead Blogger for The Compassion Chronicles. Rick has addressed committees in both the House and Senate, has authored over 200 articles on marijuana and is a professional photographer. He can be reached at: 4mrick@gmail.com

About the author

Rick Thompson was the Editor in Chief for the entire 2-year run of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Magazine, was the spokesman for the Michigan Association of Compassion Centers and is the current Editor and Lead Blogger for The Compassion Chronicles. Rick has addressed committees in both the House and Senate, has authored over 200 articles on marijuana and is a professional photographer. He can be reached at: 4mrick@gmail.com
http://www.thecompassionchronicles.com/?attachment_id=5519

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Medical-Legal-Legislative Resources

The Compassion Chronicles Resource Page is the place to go when looking for a medical study, the text of a law or ordinance, facts and science from before marijuana was prohibited, and modern studies about the social aspects of cannabis law reform.
www.thecompassionchronicles.com/resources/